Sick leave is also a must-take when you feel depressed, you know!

In Indonesia, there are 6% of people who have symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as 400,000 people with schizophrenia. Of course not all of these people are inpatients at the Mental Hospital, due to the fact that people with mental disorders (ODGJ) can still carry out routine activities like other healthy people, including working.

Work can play a very important role in recovery by providing structure and daily routines, and providing meaning and purpose in life. In addition, it works to facilitate social support and maintain financial stability. However, just like any other employee who has a cold or has a cold, some employees with mental health problems also need sick leave.

The importance of taking sick leave for employees with psychological disorders

Most absences from work that involve mental health problems are triggered by job stress, anxiety deadlines, and depression. Mental health problems affect how you think, feel and behave. Not infrequently those who have depression or other mental health problems (such as anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or bipolar disorder) are prone to fatigue, decreased self-confidence and concentration, decreased interest in work and activities, and decreased appetite.

In addition, the symptoms can take up to days or even weeks without even showing physical symptoms. This makes mental illness sufferers often ignore warning signs until the symptoms of mental illness eventually result in a "real" disease.

Stress and depression are linked to heart disease. There are at least 2 studies showing that depression can increase a person's potential for heart attack. This disorder will certainly not only hinder him, but indirectly also disrupt life in his work environment, especially when his depressive phase is emerging.

stress at work can be a reason for sick leave

"Stress affects employee performance on the job and can be an opening for bigger problems inside and outside the office," said Melissa Burdorf, lawyer and legal editor at XpertHR.

In fact, in order to live a normal life and work more efficiently and productively, workers need to feel prosperous not only physically but also mentally. Taking sick leave to improve mental health allows you to recharge, refresh and reset your perspective, and allow your body and mind to rest.

When we are tired, we can lose our temper and our logical outlook, which can lead to poor performance and poor communication - two things that can not only hurt a worker's career as an individual, but also hurt the office business.

Therefore, Burdoff advises employers and organizations to allow employees who are prone to stress or who have psychiatric disorders (either officially diagnosed or under suspicion) to take sick leave and rest at home to help them return to becoming much more reliable and strong workers.

What should employees do if they want to take sick leave to restore their mental health?

Asking for sick leave due to "stress" or to seek treatment for other mental disorders may be quite difficult in Indonesia. This is because in Indonesia there is no specific regulation that states that employees can leave the office for mental treatment. Even in the UK, 7 in 10 bosses and supervisors believe that stress, anxiety or depression are not appropriate reasons for sick leave.

So far, Indonesian government regulations only allow workers to take sick leave for about 1 (one) to 14 (fourteen) days, provided that the employee concerned must submit a request for leave in writing to his superior by attaching a doctor's certificate.

The problem is, not many people with mental disorders go to health facilities, or even realize that they have the disease because the symptoms are too vague. When you are in the office faced with a relapse of depression or anxiety disorders, maybe the people around you may just say that you are just “stressed,” “tired,” or “saturated”. You may not realize that what you are going through is much more serious than that.

Not everyone who has depression becomes a patient in RSJ

"It takes a day or two of sick leave because you are physically and mentally overwhelmed should be justified, and you don't have to lie or fake it," said Kathy Caprino, a career coach and work-life expert.

You can contact your boss and tell him or her openly that your symptoms of depression or other mental health problems are flaring up and you are not fit enough to come to work. But convey this in a way that will not be debated or questioned. Bosses and superiors have an obligation not to reveal your secrets, if no other co-workers know about your condition.

But if you find your boss lacks understanding, you can email sick leave stating "personal reasons" as your reason. This is usually a common practice in some workplaces in Indonesia. However, be wise in using cryptic excuses like this. If you continue to use "personal reasons" more than 3 times a year, your boss may start to think you are no longer reliable.